Company partners with Clean Air Foundation to provide Canadians with one more reason to get older vehicles off the road

OAKVILLE, Ont., September 2, 2009 – Starting September 3, consumers turning in 15-year-old (or older) vehicles for recycling will get up to $3,000 toward the purchase of a new vehicle from the Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, the company announced today. Ford’s scrappage program builds on the Canadian government’s Retire Your Ride initiative which offers $300 and other benefits to eligible participants.

“No one is offering more incentive to ‘Recycle Your Ride’ than Ford,” said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “People who might otherwise not be able to buy a new car can now afford the latest in vehicle safety, fuel economy and smart technology.”

Based on fuel consumption values from NRCan’s Fuel Consumption Guide for Canada:

• an average driver who moves from a typical 1995 model year mid-size car to a 2010 Ford Fusion 2.5L could save approximately $370 a year on fuel, and;
• an average driver who moves from a typical 1995 model year SUV to a 2010 Ford Escape 2.5L FWD could save approximately $940 a year on fuel.

According to the Clean Air Foundation, on average, a 1995 model year or older car emits 19 times more smog-forming emissions than a 2004 or newer car. The government’s Retire Your Ride program offers $300, transit passes, discounts on bicycles and more to the owners of 1995 model year vehicles or older who turn in their clunkers to be permanently retired.

Anyone who participates in this government program and who buys a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle qualifies for the Ford Recycle Your Ride program of $1,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford car or compact truck, $2,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford crossover or sport utility vehicle and $3,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford truck or Lincoln vehicle.

“Having Ford as our newest incentive partner means offering Canadians another great reward for choosing clean air and seeing their old car off the road,” said Fatima Dharsee, executive director of Clean Air Foundation, national delivery agent for Retire Your Ride. “Retire Your Ride participants will be able to receive their incentive quickly, right at a Ford dealership. This simple and easy process is just one more reason for Canadians to participate in Retire Your Ride.”

In partnership with the Clean Air Foundation, the Ford Recycle Your Ride program is also available to the approximately 14,000 Canadians who have already participated in Retire Your Ride since the program started in February. Retire Your Ride participants can simply bring their government-issued ID to their local Ford dealer and the dealer will confirm their eligibility, in order to receive up to $3,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle.

Here is all consumers have to do:

• If you own a 1995 or older running vehicle that has been properly registered and insured for the last six months (12 months in B.C.), just visit your closest Ford dealer to confirm your eligibility under the government’s Retire Your Ride program. Within two business days you will have a confirmation of your eligibility for up to $3,300 in incentives.
• Or, if you have already retired your ride with the Clean Air Foundation and the Retire Your Ride program, you automatically qualify for Ford’s Recycle Your Ride incentives.
• Go to your closest Ford dealer and purchase or lease your new Ford or Lincoln vehicle and receive the Recycle Your Ride incentive, over and above current incentives.

“This market stimulus puts more disposable income back in the hands of hard working Canadians who need help in today’s economy. It’s a win-win-win for the consumer, the economy and the environment,” said Mondragon.

Program details available on www.ford.ca starting September 3, 2009.